Ironing machine



w. F. OLIVER IRONING MACHINE Sept. 4, 1934.

Filed Jan. 30, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. MALL/ICE F. OL/VEI? Xvi W ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IRONING MACHINE Application January 30, 1933, Serial No. 654,310

9 Claims.

This invention relates to ironing machines.

Broadly the invention comprehends an ironing machine including a buck and a head, means for moving the head into and from operative position, means providing for automatic adjustment of the head to the work to compensate for variations in the thickness of the work;- and means for locking the head against movement when in operative position.

In both the preferred embodiment of the. invention and in the modification the head is arranged to float so that it may automatically adjust itself to variations in the thickness' of the work, and in both of the illustrated embodiments of the invention means are provided for automatically locking the head against movement after the head is adjusted to the work, so that when ironing pressure is applied through the buck the head will maintain a rigid position.

An object of the invention is to provide an ironing machine having a floating head.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ironing machine having a floating head and means for locking the head against movement when the head is in operative position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ironing machine having a movable head, means for moving the head into and from operative position, means providing for self-adjustment of the head to the work when the head is moved into operative position, and automatic means for locking the head after it has adjusted itself to the work.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to the improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combination to be hereafter set forth'and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising the invention may be varied in construction, proportion and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same intopractical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applicationsto the particular constructions, which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made a subject of illustration.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an ironing machine embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the buck and head and means supporting the head, illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view substantially on 0 line 33, Figure 2.

sectional view substantially on Referring to the drawings for more specific I detains of the invention, 10 represents a table having thereon a buck 12 which may be elevated by a hand lever 14 and suitable power multiplying means, not shown.

i The table has suitably secured thereto a frame 16 having rearwardly extended lugs 18 and upwardly extended supports 20. Corresponding arms 22 are pivotally connected to the supports The pivotal ends of the arms 22 have rearwardly extended lugs 24 connected to the arms.

The free ends of the arms 22 have heads 30 provided with spaced projections 32 and 34 apertured for the reception of eye bolts 36 secured against displacement by split rings 38. The bolts are sufiiciently long to reciprocate in the heads 30. The bolts have flat portions 40, the object of which will hereinafter appear, and sleeved on the bolts are washers 42 and springs 44 interposed between the washers and the heads 30 on the arms 22 for yieldingly retaining the bolts in extended position.

The eyebolts 36 adaptable for cooperation with the buck 12. The

When the head is lowered into operative position it is locked against movement. This operation is accomplished automatically by levers 56 pivoted to the arms 22. The levers 56 are attached to the operating lever 48 by over-running connections 58 and are provided with enlarged end portions 60 having openings 62 into which extend oppositely disposed corresponding lugs 64 and 66 between which are positioned rollers 68 engaging the flat surfaces 40 on the eye bolts 36. Plates 70 the head clear are suitably secured to the heads on the arms 22. These plates have an incline surface or face 72 adapted to wedge the rollers 68 against the flat surfaces 40 on the bolts 36 when the'head is in operative position.

Upon initial upward movement of the handle 50 to elevate the head 46 so that the work may be placed on the buck 12, the toggle 26 is tripped through the lugs 54 on the levers 48 and the levers 56 are actuated through the over-running con nections 58 connecting the levers 56 to the levers 48 to dislodge the rollers 68 from their wedging position and free the head for movement relative to the arms 22. Upon further movement of the handle 50, the arms 22 are actuated to raise or" the buck.

With the head in elevated position, work is placed on the buck, after which the handle 50 isv moved downward to lower the head into operative position, where it is free to float and automatically adjust itself to compensate for variations in the thickness of the work. Upon moving the handle 50 downward to the end of its stroke, the levers 56 are actuated through the over-running connections 58 connecting the levers 56 to the operating levers 48 to force the rollers 68 into .wedgin'g position against the eye bolts 36 against movement. I

A modification of the invention is illustrated in Figure 5, wherein the eye bolts 36 slidably mounted in the arms. 22 to support the head 46 are provided with ratchets '14 adaptable for engagement by reciprocable pins 76 positioned in the ends of the arms 22 and normally retained. in disen gaging positions by springs 78. The pins '76 are caused to engage the ratchets when the head is lowered into position by cams 80 on the operating lever 48.

In this embodiment of the invention the head 46 is free to float and to automatically adjust itself to the work until the handle 50 is fully lowered, at which time the cams 80 move the pins 76 into engagement with the ratchets '74 to lock the head against movement.

Although this invention has been described in connection with certain speciflc embodiments, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other applications that may readily occur to persons skilled in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

to the support, means for moving Having thus described the various features of the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. An ironing machine comprising a buck, a head cooperating therewith, a pivoted support, a floating member connecting-the head to the support, means for locking the floating member to the support, means operable upon the initial movement to lower the headin operative position including means operable upon further movement to actuate the locking means to secure the head to the support.

2. An ironing machine comprising a buck, a head cooperating therewith, a pivoted support, a floating member connecting the head to the support, means for locking the floating member the support to raise the head including means operable upon initial movement to disengage the locking means.

3. An ironing to lock the head machine comprising a buck, a

head cooperating therewith, a pivoted support,

a floating member connecting the head to the support, means for locking the floating member to the support, and means for actuating thev the operating lever' 5. An ironing machine comprising a buck, a

head cooperating therewith, a fixed support, an arm pivoted to the support, a floating member connecting the head to the arm, a member for locking the floating member controlling the locking member, an operating lever for raising and lowering the arm. including an over-running connection between the operating lever and the arm, and an over-running connection between the operating lever and the lever for controlling the locking member.

6. An ironing machine comprising a to the arm. alovcr buck, a

head cooperating therewith, a fixed support, an-

arm pivoted to the support, a floating member connecting the head to the arm, means for locking the floating member to the arm, a lever on the arm for controlling the locking member, a toggle connected to the arm, an operating lever, means carried thereby for tripping the toggle, an over-running connection between the operating lever and the arm, and an over-running connection between the operating lever and the lever controlling the locking member.

'7. An ironing machine comprising a buck, a head cooperating therewith. a fixed support, an arm pivoted to the support, a floating member connecting the head to the arm, a member for locking the floating member to the arm, a lever pivoted to the arm for controlling the locking member, a toggle connected to the arm. an operating lever, means carried thereby for tripping the operating lever and the arm, and means connecting the operating lever to the lever controlling the locking member arranged to move the locking member to an unlocking position upon raising the head from the buck and to move the locking member to locking position upon lowering the head into operative position.

8. An ironing machine-comprising a buck, a head cooperating therewith, a movable arm, a floating member connecting the head to the arm, means for locking the floating member to the arm, an operating lever for raising and lowering the arm, and means carried by the operating lever for actuating the locking member.

9. An ironing machine comprising a buck, a head cooperating therewith. a fixed support, an

arm pivoted to the support, a floating member" and means carried by the operating lever for moving the reciprocable member into engagement with the ratchet.

WALLACE F. OLIVER.

a ratchet on 

